Media
South Africa's just transition must accomodate myriad of considerations (Tasneem Bulbia, Engineering News, 3 June 2021)
Going coal turkey: SA's dilemma as it aims to develop greener economy (Lameez Omarjee, Fin24, 7 June 2021)
Press release
Tangible plans for economic diversification critical to a just transition in Mpumalanga
Media
Going coal turkey: SA's dilemma as it aims to develop greener economy (Lameez Omarjee, Fin24, 7 June 2021
South Africa’s just transition must accommodate myriad of considerations (Tasneem Bulbulai, Engineering News, 3 June 2021)
BackgroundSouth Africa has initiated a transition to a more sustainable development pathway, which involves moving towards a low-carbon economy. The country is a highly unequal society with many poor and vulnerable people. The need for a just transition has emerged as an imperative, whereby the poor and vulnerable should not be negatively impacted by the transition and should ideally be better off through it. In Mpumalanga, these challenges are exacerbated by the health, air and water pollution that has caused untold death and destruction to people and the environment.
Yet the voice of the people living in affected communities is often not heard, particularly at the national level. This Development Dialogue webinar aims to provide a platform to hear from, and engage with, people from Steve Tshwete and Emalahleni. It aims to unpack the key concerns, aspirations, visions and needs for people in Mpumalanga, focusing on what is required to shift the status quo and make a positive change in the region in terms of employment, poverty, energy, health, and the environment. It forms part of a larger project, funded by UK PACT, that intends to facilitate the co-development of a coherent just transition plan for affected communities in Mpumalanga, with a particular focus on Emalahleni and Steve Tshwete.
Programme
Welcome and introduction, facilitated by Peta Wolpe
Brief overview of the UK PACT project
About the Speakers
Jay Naidoo is a South African public figure and social activist. He is a board member of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, promoting governance and leadership in Africa. Previously, he was a Minister in President Nelson Mandela's Cabinet and the Founding General Secretary of Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).
Promise Mabilo is the co-ordinator of Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action (VEJMA), a community-based organisation in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga. The organisation was established in 2016 with the vision of promoting awareness of and advocating for environmental justice within the Mpumalanga Highveld and the country. Mabilo is an environmental justice activist and an alumni of the groundWork environmental justice school.
Lucky Moni is an Energy Researcher and National Educator at the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers' Union (CEPPWAWU), based in Mpumalanga.
Nonkululeko Makua is the Climate Change Champion of the Emalahleni Municipality. She is also the Manager for Parks, Cemeteries and Public Open Spaces, in the Environmental and Waste Management Directorate of the municipalities.
Alex Khumalo is the Head: Social Performance at Minerals Council South Africa. He has long-standing experience and expertise in socio-economic development, transformation strategies, community engagement and community empowerment, notably as the Owner and Chief Impact Officer of Lean Logic Solutions, and the Community Engagement Officer at Anglo American Platinum.
About the Facilitator
Peta Wolpe is an Energy and Climate Change Practitioner. She has extensive experience of working in urban energy and climate change, focusing on energy poverty and local level governance and policy. She was the Managing Director of Sustainable Energy Africa (SEA) for over 12 years. She is also an Associate Director of SouthSouthNorth.
